Ramsar Convention

The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty that provides an agenda to sustain the ecological integrity of our world’s wetlands. This particular convention is unique, in that is only deals directly with the degradation and health of wetlands. The treaty was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar (1971) and encompasses 168 member countries. There are currently over 2186 wetland sites, totaling over 208 million hectares. The United States alone has 36 Ramsar designated sites coverig over 4,522,764 acres. The members meet every three years as the Conference of Contracting Parties. There is a standing committee, a scientific review panel, and a secretariat. In order to join the convention each Contracting party must list at least one wetland site on the Ramsar’s List of Wetlands of International Importance.  This identification process is determined through set criteria that have been established by a scientific review panel.

Ramsar’s mission describes the wise use of wetlands in local, national, and international settings, while simultaneously encouraging sustainable development around the world. The convention achieves its national and international objectives through three key pillars, which describe the organizations commit to wetland sustainability and useful use of wetlands. The three pillars are as follows:

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·         Work towards the wise use of all their wetlands

·         Designate suitable wetlands for the list of Wetlands of International Importance (the “Ramsar List”) and ensure their effective management;

·         Cooperate internationally on transboundary wetlands, shared wetland systems and shared species

               

                With the help of the Ramsar Advisory Missions, international bodies can depend on the wealth of knowledge and expertise that accompanies the Ramsar Convention. Whenever an ecological site is assessed and seen as threatened, countries can call on these specific advisory missions in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the ecological impact of the wetland. In addition various funding has been supplied to nations attempting to manage the damage done to these fragile ecosystems.

               

                Contracting parties commit to work towards the Ramsar philosophy of the “wise use” of wetlands. The guidelines for the implementation of the wise use concept includes adopting wetland policies, such as environmental action plans, develop monitoring protocols, and establish integrated management plans for wetlands. A National Ramsar Committee acts as the advising body for the particular nation attempting to integrate these environmental protocols, into their current regulatory outlines.  The implementation of these plans is a rolling period of about three years.

               

                Wetlands are some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet and provide a key function in filtering out pollutants in water. The Ramsar Convention has brought the importance of these ecosystems into the 21^st century. With a wide wealth of scientific knowledge and the resources of 168 Contracting members, the Ramsar Convention is the key component in sustaining the health of wetlands today and for future generations to come. As we continue to grow and develop as a planet, more innovative and collaborative efforts will need to be established to deal with threatened ecosystems. The Ramsar Convention should be a benchmark for future environmental collaborations and solutions. 

            

            Links:http://www.ramsar.org/about/the-ramsar-convention-and-its-mission,http://www.fws.gov/international/wildlife-without-borders/ramsar-wetlands-convention.html 

links

Lin

Wetlands

Wetlands are among some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet, and serve numerous environmental functions. These ecosystems act as a natural filter, flood and erosion protection barrier, home for thousands species of plant and animal life, and recreation destinations. These ecosystems, and the species which inhabit them, are being threatened by industry pollution and commercialization. According to US EPA, more than one- third of the United States threatened or endangered species inhabit these ecosystems. Destruction of these environments would not only pose significant impacts to plant and wildlife, but would also alter the water quality and flood protection of residents living near these ecosystems.

One of the most important functions of these ecosystems is the natural filtration of sediments, pollutants, and storm-water runoff. Wetlands have an exceptionally high capability to soak up extra nutrients from the sediment deposits for various organisms inhabiting these environments. I like to think of wetlands as Mother Nature’s sponge. In addition, because of the highly effective filtration aspects of wetlands, there are numerous economic factors that come into play. For insistence according to the US EPA’s website, a study was administered observing the beneficial effects of the Congaree Bottomland Hardwood Swamp in South Carolina. Without these natural wetlands, the state would have had to construct over 5 million dollars in waste water treatment facilities.  Furthermore, in times of drought, wetlands can contribute to ground water recharge and help to stabilize down steam flows.

Wetlands in or around commercial or residential property should be extremely valued and cared for appropriately. These wetlands receive all the excess storm-water runoff and allow for more manageable downstream flows of water, during heavy periods of precipitation. Once again, preserving these ecosystems has serious economic impacts when it comes to flood control plans.  Regional flood plains containing up stream wetlands will have little to no need to construct levees or dredge operations. In addition, wetlands also protect against erosion of shorelines. Hurricanes and tropical storms are buffered by wetlands. The roots of plants serve a dual purpose, in that they absorb the impacts of heavy waves and also hold the soil together against strong waves.

Wetlands not only improve overall water quality and protect against floods, but also provide many natural products to our economy. Each year natural products from wetlands, including fish and shellfish, blueberries, cranberries, timber, and wild rice, as well as medicines that are derived from wetland soils and plants. Billions of dollars of revenue is made each year only to the large comical fishing industry located in the southern coastal region of the United States. Furthermore, these beautiful natural landscapes serve as recreational destinations as well. Various hiking, hunting, painting, and bird watching enthusiasts come from all over the country to experience these environments.  

If we don’t take action now, the future of our wetlands is grim at best. Commercialization and land development pose the biggest threat to these ecosystems. With any environmental issue, a cost- benefit analysis must be conducted. I think it is plain to see, that the cost of destroying these vital habitats will provide no long term benefit. 

Links:
http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/people.cfm
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-are-wetlands-so-important-to-preserve/

ROI

As I`m about to wrap up my undergraduate career, I've started to reflect on the journey I have taken.  If I were to run into my future self I would recommend questioning everything. Every day in academia, students are presented with new ideas, different studies, data, and scientific finding that alter the way we think and make decisions. I would recommend challenging myself to look more in depth at the information put before me. Many times we tend to take a stance without really analyzing why we are taking that particular side of the argument. I would encourage myself to really look into the facts and take a different approach before siding with a particular argument just because it is different or has a large following. Furthermore I would inspire him to take full advantage of the people and resources that he is surrounded with. So much can be learned and so many connections can be made, you just have to go out and find them. Build these connections and work to keep those relationships intact, there more important than you know.

I heard a motivation speaker say a t a commencement speech once that humans have no meaning in life. That we`re the only species on the planet that thinks the world should revolve around us and what we want. I would advise myself to take this ideology to heart. Don’t waste your time stressing out trying to find the meaning in your life and what you want. Find meaning in the task that is presented in front of you each day, I think this is one of the most important life lessons anyone could learn. Help others achieve their tasks and educate as many people as possible. I think we all have an individual duty to mankind to be educators. So many of us a have the opportunity to go to school and obtain an education. It’s our duty to go out and share what we've learned with the world.

I am extremely grateful to have been born into a family that saw the value in education. They have given me a great gift. Personally I have witnessed a 100% return on my investment. The man I am today is way different then the man I was just four years ago. My education and experiences I have had at this university have molded me into an individual I am proud to be. I know who I am now, I know what I want out of life and the goals I want to accomplish. However, there is so much more to learn in this life and I can’t wait to absorb it all.

In closing, I would make sure that the past me knows that mistakes are made along the way. These mistakes are part of the learning process and that I real man holds himself accountable, and learns from his mistakes. Don’t take the time to feel bad about your decision or try to blame it on some extraneous factor, but man up and take the consequences handed down to you. This is a long life we live many and there will be good times and bad, but the one thing that is present at both times is a learning experience. Take away what you can, expand, help others, and everything else just seems to work its way out.